If you buy something through our links, ToolGuyd might earn an affiliate commission.

Milwaukee is coming out with several new hand tools, some of which you might have already heard about.

Yes, Milwaukee is coming out with new framing hammers. They’re real – I’ve got one in my hand (not as I type), and they’re something different. Well, not too different, but a little different, and in a good way.

Advertisement

I’ll post photos as soon as I can, but rather than wait on that, here are some quick visuals (renderings?).

There will be 17 ounce framing hammers, 22 ounce framing hammers, and a 19 ounce polymer fiberglass hammer. No 16 ounce nail hammer? No ball peins? No mallets? Milwaukee wouldn’t say what’s coming next, but I’d guess that this won’t be their only foray into striking tools.

First up, the 17 ounce framing hammer.

17 Ounce Framing Hammer

Milwaukee boasts that their new 17 oz framing hammers offer:

Precision balanced design

Reduced fatigue

Extended handle for more driving power

Up to 10X less peak vibration compared to competitors’ offerings

Best-in-class grip durability

I-beam handle resists bending in prying applications

Asymmetrical anti-ring claw design

Magnetic nail set

There will be a smooth faced version (48-22-9017), and a milled face version (48-22-9016).

Price: $40

I haven’t put a lot of time in with my test samples – I have both smooth and checkered face versions, but can tell a few things right away.

First, Milwaukee designed some very nice framing hammers. They look good, but more importantly they feel good. The Milwaukee-red axe-style handles are grippy and cushiony.

Someone mentioned that they felt a little slick, but I didn’t get that feeling at all.

They are very nicely balanced, but they’re also very light. Long and light.

Don’t let the 17 ounce weight rating fool you – these feel like heavy-hitting framing hammers. Milwaukee said they won’t be engaging in “feels like a 22 oz hammer” marketing or anything of the sort.

The handles are slender, but not in a fragile way. There’s a lot of material missing from just under the hammer face and claw, contributing to the slender profile and light appearance.

I asked Milwaukee about how the striking power compared to that of the other new Milwaukee framing hammer offerings, and they promised to get back to me.

The 22 ounce framer is shorter, and also has a different weight distribution. I haven’t handled one yet, but it seems like it’ll strike a little slower, which would mean unproportional performance.

In other words, don’t dare assume that the 17 ounce hammer performs like a typical 17 ounce hammer, and the 22 like a typical 22.

Actually, I’m inclined to believe that the 22 ounce hammer performs like a true 22 ounce hammer, and that the 17 ounce is the only one you would have to more rely on feel for.

Up to 10X less peak vibration than competing models? I’ll have to test for that before I can comment.

These aren’t inexpensive hammers, at $40 each. But close examination shows that a lot of care was put into the design and engineering.

The nail set looks good, with a well-glued magnet and large reference face. If you can’t set a nail with this hammer and one swing, you can only blame user error.

I won’t encourage you to buy one immediately, but I will say this – when it comes time to buy a new framing hammer, definitely seek out one of these to handle. My initial impression is quite positive, and I actually look forward to driving some more nails in for the pending review.

The 22 ounce hammers, and I say hammers because you have the choice between smooth (48-22-9023) and checkered face (48-22-9022) hammers, are shorter than the 17 ounce hammers but share many of the same features.

Actually, it looks like the feature set between Milwaukee framing hammers is the same, with one exception – the 17 oz hammers have longer handles.

I can’t do any comparisons until I get my hands on a test sample, but I’d guess that these Milwaukee 22 ounce hammers are around the same length as competitors.

Looking back at my post from May of 2013, the Estwing 22 oz hammers were around $28 then too, so $28 might be accurate all-the-time pricing.

$28 for a USA-made tried-and-true 22 oz framing hammer, vs. $35 for an imported Milwaukee hammer? It will come down to price and country of origin for a lot of people.

As mentioned, these hammers are very nicely manufactured. When looking at the 17 oz hammers, I’m not sure as to whether the heads are welded to the handles, or if they’re forged in one piece. I’m assuming that the 22 oz hammers are just as nicely manufactured.

It’s actually a pleasant distraction, to look at these new Milwaukee framing hammers and wonder about each design decision.

It’s said to be built with the most durable poly/fiberglass handle. As with the other hammers, it’s precision balanced, features a magnetic nail set, and also has an asymmetrical anti-ring claw design. This means reduced noise and ringing when striking nails or other hardened objects.

It has a smooth face and over-molded handle with no-slip grip.

Price: $30

The ETA for all of these hammers is April 2017.

(More)First Thoughts

Milwaukee did say that they were looking to expand into the construction trades. I’m willing to guess that there will be a corresponding push in their cordless lines as well.

Next, maybe Milwaukee will look to acquire companies that produce hammers, punches, and prying tools. I would also like to see Milwaukee-branded adjustable wrenches, but such tools might be outside their interests.

Well, Milwaukee has come out with their own adjustable wrenches, and they designed their own hammers from the ground up, rather than buying into the industry. But at the time it made sense to me, that Milwaukee might complement their know-how with a known player in the hammer industry.

They’ve got know-how from Stiletto’s R&D over the years, and I’m sure they could have learned a thing or two from Hart Tools. Maybe these hammers are even made at the same TTI factory?

My point is this – framing hammers aren’t an unexpected step for Milwaukee, and I’m also not very concerned about their inexperience in this market.

Milwaukee has been iterating their tools at a more frequent pace than some of the more experienced hand tool brands, but that’s a good thing. To try and then improve is better than sticking with older tried and true designs.

The biggest selling points seem to be 1) up to 10X less peak vibration – for the metal-handled hammers, and 2) durable grips.

I can already tell that they’re comfortable performers, but let me hit some more nails just to be sure. I do like the grips, comfort-wise.

Estwing’s hammer grips age well, but I’ve seen a few well-used hammers that needed to be replaced because the grips wore out. Unfortunately, it’ll be a long time until Milwaukee’s “best in class grip durability” can be validated. If you like how these hammers feel, you’ll just have to trust them on that.

Don’t go by anything you read here or anywhere else. Starting in April 2017, if you see these hammers on a shelf at your local Home Depot, pick one up and give it a swing. You’re probably going to like what you feel.

25 Comments

If I were tti . I would focus on power tools . I’m not buying a Chinese hammer . Vaughn and estwing both make a good American hammer . No fan of the blue handle . However the California framer by Vaughn is a quality hammer for less than 50 canadian . Probs like 20 bucks for u guys stateside

I guess that they (Milwaukee-TTI) are still making their Stiletto brand hammers in the USA – but they are directed at the high-end market. When I was doing the buying – we’d purchase mostly Vaughan or Estwing hammers – tried some others like Douglas, Dalluge , Dead-On and Hart – but tried to avoid the top tier (cost-wise anyway) – suggesting that anyone who wanted a titanium hammer could buy their own.

I never understood the titanium hammer craze. Replaceable striking heads etc . Maybe the boss might want a fancy hammer like that . Hammers get used for a lot of demo work . And foundation work . Rough work in general
Not sure I’d bring a Ferrari to a mud bog . In short I agree . Let the guy who thinks he needs a stiletto buy his or her own

Welp, the last time I got interested in a new hammer was when Estwing announced the Al Pro. For the longest time that hammer has been somewhat rare out in the wild. Perhaps Milwaukee will have a better rollout. Been on a little bit of a hammer buying spree as of late. UPS delivered a new Dalluge 2000 a couple weeks ago. Love it. If and when Milwaukee’s new hammers are in stores I’ll have to give them a look.

TO be fair I was interested in the AL job Estwing has proposed (never seen one in a store yet) since it would be lighter to use – with a hard head and the weight where it’s needed for the striking power.

but I would never use it for other purposes – IE it wouldn’t be my only hammer by far and I’d never use it for demolition. The Titanium stuff – I don’t see any need for mostly because of the cost of the Ti-Alloy used.

I think its is a bad idea for Milwaukee to come out with 3 China-made hammers in an already way over saturated market. If they really want to make an impact they need to bring something new & innovative to the market, not just another framing hammer with their brand name. Hart (which is my favorite) (made in the USA) by far has made the most innovative hammer I’ve ever used. Dewalt tried to add a side nail pull to their hammer, but its pretty useless,although it has a great swing balance. I don’t understand the need for Milwaukee to come out with 3 hammers when tti already has Hart & stiletto. At the very least they should be made in USA with US materials.

Mildly off-topic, what is a good normal use (handyman / home repair) hammer? I’m using a pretty busted fiberglass Klein hammer that I’ve had for years. The fiberglass is peeling and graying, and I really don’t trust swinging it.

Everytime I check out Lowes or Home Depot, most of the hammers are skeletonize, waffle-faced, flat-faced and/or framing hammers.

I’m not opposed to paying for quality, but I’m also not looking for titanium heads.

Sure others all have their favs. Here’s a list of hammers I use all the time and wouldn’t be without. They are all good hammers. Notice no Ti or gadget hammers here. Just straight forward working hammers that don’t cost a mint and get the job done.

Estwing 22 oz. checked head framing hammer will last a lifetime and is all but indestructible. Amazon B0000224V9.

Dalluge 20 oz. textured face decking hammer is my go to all around hammer. The textured face is slightly convex with a sandpaper finish. Amazon B000MEDYJI.

Dalluge 16 oz. smooth face trim hammer. This hammer reminds me of my favorite trim hammer of all time, a Hart 13 oz. with white hickory handle. The Dalluge has a 16 oz. head but I swear it feels like the much lighter Hart. Amazon B000VYKPTG.

Stanley 16-Ounce Curve Claw Fiberglass Hammer. Just a classic hammer. A good rough and ready everyday hammer. Gotta have one. (I have two, both are the older version with the gray grips) Amazon B000VSMJCS.

Proferred checked head 21 oz. California framing hammer. This is the only ax handled hammer in the gang box. It’s a great hammer for very little money. I got mine on sale for like $9 bucks. Hella deal. Actually like this hammer quite a bit. Amazon B016OKB0MQ.

I don’t understand the attraction of import hammers for more than the cost of an Estwing or Vaughn. For me, if it isn’t one of those two, I don’t have any real interest. Unless Milwaukee sells them for $20, I don’t see them making many sales.

Not a comment on the Milwaukee hammers, I know ( every cordless tool I own, which is probably around 75 or so, are Milwaukee- I’m definitely a fan of the brand).

Some of you ask why an expensive hammer such as titanium?

I was having lots of elbow trouble and was lucky enough to be seen by a practical, common-sense doctor. His suggestion-a lightweight hammer with a wooden handle to absorb some of the shock/impact.

I have a 15 oz Dalluge (comparable to a 21 oz framer) and a 10 oz Stiletto (comparable to a 16-oz finish) and they indeed have markedly reduced my elbow troubles. Before I’d spend $40 on a Milwaukee ( I’d just use my Estwings), I’d spend $80 on a titanium. What’s 40 more bucks if it keeps you working and earning a wage or staying on schedule? Believe me, you won’t always be 25… hard work will catch up to you….

Mark Martinez, inventor of the all Ti Stiletto hammer has also announced some new hammers coming to market. And guess what? He is moving away from Ti hammer heads back to good old steel. LOL. He says the “new” steel hammer heads will drive nails at least 1x greater than previous Ti heads and will release a video to prove it. The new hammers will be available with both wood and Ti handles. So much for all that talk about how much better the lighter faster Ti hammer heads were for driving nails as opposed to steel. Prices for the “new” steel hammer start around $200 buckaroos.

Newsletter

Recent Comments

fred on The Best Hook and Pick Set?: “Moody also make spring hooks and sets: https://www.amazon.com/Threaded-Spring-Tool-Kit-Light/dp/B0026GI62A/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=B0026GI62A&qid=1558784803&s=industrial&sr=1-1”